RCPD 2008 Youth Police Academy

Program Overview

Print the Application and Rules

There are a lot of cop shows on television. But the average citizen, especially the average young person, has few opportunities to experience the realities of law enforcement.

In the latest of its community outreach programs, the Rancho Cordova Police Department is seeking to provide an innovative and effective program for youth residing in the City. The Youth Police Academy is such a program. It is designed to establish a positive relationship between the Police Department and the City’s youth.

The Rancho Cordova Youth Police Academy is an opportunity for 11-14 year olds to experience what it is like to be a police officer in the United States today. The academy has been designed to be a hands-on interactive experience for motivated youth. Attendees have the unique opportunity to interact and learn in a safe environment with law enforcement officers. Attendees, through team building exercises, classroom instruction, and numerous hands-on training activities receive an appreciation for the challenges facing police and how police attempt to successfully accomplish their mission in our community.

The goals of the academy are:

1. To provide positive interaction with police officers and to educate our youth
2. Create a better understanding and communication between young people and police employees
3. To enhance the participants’ knowledge about law enforcement

The cadets are introduced to the core functions of policing, including criminal investigations, traffic enforcement, and crime scene processing. The hands on classes and demonstrations will be supplemented by classroom type instruction and field trips. Each session will be taught by highly trained professionals. Most of the instructors will be officers from the Rancho Cordova Police Department.  Program activities will be held primarily in the Community Room of the Rancho Cordova Police Department.

Participants must fill out a detailed application; have a good school record, a clear criminal background and parental permission and live within the City of Rancho Cordova. This program is not intended or designed for children with disciplinary problems. The Youth Police Academy is not a “boot camp” for troubled youth.

Class size is limited to 24 participants. All submitted applications will be reviewed in the order they are received to ensure that each applicant meets the requirements. A background check will be conducted on each applicant who submits a complete application by the deadline. If necessary, a waiting list will be established. Applications must be submitted prior to the deadline. Applications submitted after the deadline will not be considered.

Parents are required to attend a meeting with the Academy Staff prior to the start of the academy.  During the parent meeting, the program will be discussed in detail and parents will be asked to sign all releases and waivers.

The academy will be offering two (2) sessions during the 2008 summer. Both sessions will be identical in format and content.

Session 1- will be a two (2) week session running from June 9 – 20. Classes will be held Monday – Friday from 8am – 1pm.

The mandatory parent meeting for session 1 will be held on May 28, 2008 at 6:00pm in the Community Room at the service center.

Session 2- will be a one (1) week session running from July 14-18. Classes will be held Monday – Friday from 8am – 5pm.

The mandatory parent meeting for session 2 will be held on June 25, 2008 at 6:00pm in the Community Room at the service center.

Application packages will be available beginning April 1, 2008. Application packages will be accepted between April 7, 2008 and May 2, 2008. No application will be accepted after 5:00pm on Friday, May 2, 2008. Packages can be obtained at the Police Service Center or are available for download on the Rancho Cordova Police Department Website.

There is no cost for the Rancho Cordova Youth Police Academy.

Rancho Cordova Police Department
10361 Rockingham Drive
Sacramento, CA 95827
www.ranchocordovapd.com
For more information contact the academy coordinator, Shannon Ludington at 875-5709 or email sludington@ranchocordovapd.com